Broadcast regulator Ofcom has been put on alert that volunteers want to put the local back into local radio.

And non-profit organisation Deeside (Wales) Community Media (DCM) has said it intends to apply for a licence to re-establish Radio Deeside.

AM Carl Sargeant has already given his support to the station, which will be run by volunteers.

One of the key players is a man who has been the face – and voice – of local radio most of his working life.

Roy Norry, of Hamilton Road, Connah’s Quay, cut his teeth on the original Radio Deeside, set up as one of a series of community stations by the BBC in 1978, prior to the launch of BBC Wales.

Roy said: “We started a few weeks ago and are in the process of forming a committee to include the people with the necessary skills.

“We’ve been thinking about this for more than two years.”

Roy said Deeside is the only large urban area in North Wales without its own station.

DCM is aiming to apply for a 28-day Restricted Services Licence (RSL), which gives the broadcasting authorities time to assess the quality of the output and local support for the station before granting a full licence, which can take years.

DCM is also on the lookout for premises to base the station, and Roy thinks Custom House Lane Primary School on Mold Road – which will close this summer – could be ideal.

Roy believes there is currently nothing truly local on the airwaves for people in Deeside.

“It’s ironic because we were one of the first community radio stations in Wales back in the early 1980s when steel making was closing down in Shotton,” he said.

“Now everywhere seems to have a community radio – except Deeside.

“We’ve had indications of support from AM Carl Sargeant and we’ve put out some feelers with Deeside College – a local radio station could provide a very valuable asset for training.”

For more information visit radiodeeside.com or www.deesidecommunitymedia.co.uk.